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3 Steps Households can take

The COVID-19 pandemic forced millions of Americans to embrace working from their own home; a concept they had limited or no experience with at the time. And while many employees have returned to the office, a recent University of Chicago study found that 72% of those workers surveyed would like to continue working from home for at least 2 days a week, and 32% said they would like to work from home permanently. In this new reality, having your household safe and secure from cyber threats needs to be a top priority.

 

In this increasingly wireless world, the steps households should take in terms of cybersecurity have changed. Most homes now run networks of devices linked to the internet, including computers, gaming systems, TVs, tablets, and smartphones that access wireless networks. Thus, having the right tools in place will instill confidence that your family members can use the internet safely and securely for personal and work-related endeavors.

 

Below are 3 steps households can take to better protect themselves against cyber-attacks:

 

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Secure Your Wireless Router

Using a wireless router is an increasingly convenient way to allow multiple devices to connect to the internet from different areas of your home. However, unless your router is secure, you risk the possibility of individuals accessing information on your computer, and worse, using your network to commit cybercrimes. Needless to say, all wireless devices using this router are vulnerable if your router is not protected.

 

Some simple ways to secure this piece of hardware include changing the name of your router. The default ID is typically assigned by the manufacturer, so changing your router to a unique name that won’t be easily guessed by others is a simple way to keep your router protected. Another important step is changing the preset passphrase on your router. Leaving the default password in place makes it significantly easier for hackers to access your network. In fact, according to  NCA’s 2021 Oh Behave! Report, only 43% of participants reported creating long and unique passwords for their online accounts “very often” or “always”. Additionally, almost a third (28%) stated that they didn’t do this at all. Embracing unique and strong passwords is a huge and simple step to securing your home from all types of cyber threats.[/cz_title]

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Install Firewalls and Security Software On All Devices

Firewalls are essential because they help keep hackers from using your device which otherwise could result in your personal information being sent out without your permission. They guard and watch for attempts to access your system while blocking communications with sources you don’t permit. Installing a firewall on wireless routers is a necessity. Furthermore, make sure all devices that are connected to the wireless network have security software systems installed and updated. Many of these gadgets have automatic update features, so households should make sure they are on for all available technology. The most up-to-date security software, web browsers, and operating systems are the best defense against online threats such as viruses and malware.[/cz_title]

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Back-Up All Household Data

While steps can be taken to avoid your network, devices and accounts being hacked or compromised, they can never be 100% effective. Households need to embrace backing up data, especially as it relates to important information. Users can protect their valuable work, photos, and other digital information by making electronic copies of important files and storing them safely. This can be done using cloud software in addition to manual storing devices like USBs. Regardless, storing data in an alternative location that is safe and secure provides another layer of protection.

 

Taking simple, proactive steps to keep family, friends, and yourself safe from cyber criminals inside your household should no longer be viewed as optional but rather a necessity. Between technological devices being introduced and updated at a rapid pace and employees continuing to embrace working from home in some capacity, everyone has an ethical responsibility to actively minimize the risks of breaches and attacks inside their home.

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[cz_title id=”cz_54269″]Arguably no phrase has dominated the tech world in the last 24 months more than the term “data breach.” From breaches that have impacted critical infrastructure like the Colonial Pipeline to hackers compromising healthcare records at UC San Diego Health, the last two years have been saturated by headlines of cybersecurity mishaps. Yet, despite the prevalence of the breach-centric news cycle, many everyday individuals may not know what exactly a data breach is, how they typically start, and why they occur.

According to IBM, the average time it takes to identify that a breach has occurred is 287 days, with the average time to contain a breach clocking in at 80 days. And with 81% of businesses experiencing a cyberattack during COVID, it is essential that individuals are familiar with the anatomy of a data breach so that they can keep their data, as well as their colleague’s and customers’ data, safe.

With that in mind, here is some helpful background on what data breaches are and why they are so problematic.[/cz_title]

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What is a data breach? 

While it may seem like a complex concept, once the jargon is removed, a data breach is straightforward to explain. According to Trend Micro, a data breach is “an incident where information is stolen or taken from a system without the knowledge or authorization of the system’s owner.” And while data breaches can be the result of a system or human error, a vast majority of data breaches are the result of cyber-attacks, where a cybercriminal gains unlawful access to sensitive system data. In fact, 92% of the data breaches in Q1 2022 were the result of cyberattacks.

What kind of data can be breached?

Unfortunately, cybercriminals look to get their hands on any information that they possibly can ranging from more obvious sensitive information such as social security numbers and credit card information to more obscure data like past purchase history.

What are some of the tactics used to execute data breaches?

Cybercrime is getting more sophisticated each day. However, cyberattack tactics do not have to be cutting-edge or advanced to be very effective. Here are a few examples of popular tactics used by cybercriminals:[/cz_title]

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[cz_service_box type=”vertical” title=”Malware” icon=”fa fa-check” id=”cz_21794″ sk_overall=”border-bottom-style:solid;border-color:#cccccc;border-top-style:solid;border-right-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;padding:30px 40px 40px 40px;border-width:3px 3px 3px 3px;margin-top:0px;” sk_title=”font-size:36px;color:#ba0230;font-weight:400;” sk_icon=”font-size:36px;color:#ba0230;” sk_icon_con=”border-bottom-style:solid;border-color:#cccccc;border-top-style:solid;border-right-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-width:3px 3px 3px 3px;margin-top:5px;” cz_service_box=””]Another tried-and-true method for cybercriminals is malware. Malware is malicious software that secretly installs itself on devices – often by way of a user engaging with fake links and content – and quietly gains access to the data on an individual’s device or a business network.[/cz_service_box]

[cz_service_box type=”vertical” title=”Phishing” icon=”fa fa-check” id=”cz_56040″ sk_overall=”border-bottom-style:solid;border-color:#cccccc;border-top-style:solid;border-right-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;padding:30px 40px 40px 40px;border-width:3px 3px 3px 3px;margin-top:0px;” sk_title=”font-size:36px;color:#ba0230;font-weight:400;” sk_icon=”font-size:36px;color:#ba0230;” sk_icon_con=”border-bottom-style:solid;border-color:#cccccc;border-top-style:solid;border-right-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-width:3px 3px 3px 3px;margin-top:5px;” cz_service_box=””]Phishing is when a cybercriminal pretends to be a legitimate party in hopes of tricking an individual into giving them access to personal information. Phishing is one of the oldest tricks in the book for cybercriminals, but it is just as effective as ever. For example, 80% of security incidents and 90% data breaches stem from phishing attempts[/cz_service_box]

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How to spot a possible breach?

 The best way to stop a data breach is to stop it before it even starts. This includes taking steps from making sure passwords are long and complex to reporting suspicious emails. If you do suspect that you have been the victim of a breach, immediately contact your IT department or device provider to notify them and follow subsequent protocols to help them scan, detect, and remediate any issues that exist.[/cz_title]

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[cz_title id=”cz_64849″ cz_title=””]All organizations must implement a very strong cybersecurity solution to protect their devices and data from cybercrimes, which have become increasingly common over the past decade.

A Security Operations Center is, as the name suggests, a crucial security solution for businesses. The Security Operations Center, or SOC, plays this role by preventing, monitoring, detecting, investigating, and responding to cyberthreats around the clock.

 

Here is what you can expect from a  Security Operations Center:

 

• Presence of experienced and expert team members who take care of all the security aspects of the organization
• Protection of the organization’s assets including intellectual property, personnel data, business systems, and brand integrity.
• Knowledge of how to protect the organization from all types of data bridges and cyber security threats.
• Creation of a detailed and comprehensive strategy that can be used to defend against all types of cyber-attacks.

Now that you have some idea of the abilities of a Security Operations Center, it is time to understand the role that it performs. In this way, you will be able to better understand the significance of having a Security Operations Center assist with the protection of your organization’s assets against cyberattacks.

 

What Does a SOC Do?

 

An agency’s or organization’s centralized SOC effectively uses people, automation tools and software, and other technologies to constantly evaluate and detect the weak defense posture of the company while avoiding, recognizing, analyzing, and reacting to cybersecurity issues.

 

Note that different SOCs have different numbers of team members but all of them perform the same function. Let’s have a look at some of the major roles of the Security Operations Center.

 

●    Prevention & Detection

The most preferred step in the cyber security strategy of the Security Operations Center is to prevent data breaches and cyber security attacks from happening. It is undoubtedly the most effective way to prevent the organization from experiencing any kind of cyber issue. However, in the case that a problem occurs, the team members will immediately detect the problem.

 

Remember that a SOC monitors the network constantly rather than reacting to risks as they arise. The SOC team is then able to identify unwanted activities and stop them before they have a chance to do any harm.

 

It is the core responsibility of the SOC members to keep an eye on all kinds of harmful activities that may be performed by cyber attackers. If they detect anything suspicious that can be harmful to the safety and security of the organization and its assets, they immediately try to gather as much information as they can. In this way, they can perform detailed investigations and find solutions.

 

●    Investigation

Once suspicious activities have been detected, the SOC team will begin the investigation stage. During this stage, SOC analyzes the severity of the security problem, the extent to which it can affect the assets of the organization, its nature, and how it can affect the whole infrastructure.

 

By comprehending how attacks develop and how to react appropriately before they get out of control, the analyst may identify and assess many sorts of security issues. For a successful triage, the SOC analyst integrates knowledge of the network with the most recent global information security research, which includes insights on offender capabilities, strategies, and tendencies.

 

●    Response

After the SOC team detects the issue and completes the investigation, they will move on to the response stage and devise a solution. A coordinated response is a practical step toward solving the problem. In this stage, the SOC performs various tasks to rectify the problem and bring the organization back to its previous safe condition. The SOC responds by addressing all the possible cybersecurity issues and performing actions that can solve them immediately.

By proceeding with endpoint isolation, malicious process termination, blocking execution, file deletion, and other measures, the SOC strives to enhance the security strength and retrieve any damaged or exposed information following an event. In the case of malware infections, this can entail restoring workable files to get around ransomware, erasing and resuming terminals, reorganizing infrastructure, or deleting and resetting access points.

 

Looking For the SOC For Your Organization? Choose Les Olson!

Les Olson IT operates a cutting-edge Network Operations Center (NOC), where its staff of IT experts supports the communications infrastructure. Their help desk has a group of qualified, highly skilled professionals who provide next-level customer service. With their Managed IT Services Help Desk and Remote Monitoring and Management, they can take care of all the details of your IT requirements, including the time-consuming and hectic repairing of network computers and other devices, giving your company a sense of security.

 

There’s a strong probability that when you seek out to resolve an issue, and are proactively trying to fix it.

 

Your organization’s smooth operation depends on the technology that you rely on. Your business is at risk when your infrastructure isn’t functioning properly. You can guarantee your infrastructure and assets are online and always running as effectively as possible with Managed IT Services from Les Olson Company. To reduce expensive downtime, their technical professionals are continually working in the background. They are your partner in using technologies to assist you in accomplishing your corporate objectives.

It’s time to let the security and functionality of your company’s network and devices be managed by Les Olson’s award-winning IT specialists. Their Managed IT Services offer a wide range of technological options, such as remote network assessment and tracking, user customer care assistance, and much more.

 

Reach Out To Les Olson SOC Experts Today[/cz_title]

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You were not alone in finding it difficult to hire and even retain talented IT professionals in 2021.  The phrase “Outsourcing IT” had a 200+ increase on Google Trends in 2021.  Also, the Gartner Group, stated “A lack of talent availability was cited far more often than other barriers this year, such as implementation cost (29%) or security risk (7%).” https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2021-09-13-gartner-survey-reveals-talent-shortages-as-biggest-barrier-to-emerging-technologies-adoption

And finally forecasts predict this trend will continue into 2022 as demand for office technology rises and the availability of IT talent remains low.  So, what are you to do?  Keep in mind these 3 things that can be helpful to you in 2022 regarding your IT workforce needs.

 

 

1.  Outsourcing IT will fill gaps due to missing expertise. A good IT partner will have a large staff of individuals with vast credentials spread amongst their team.  When you partner with an outsourced IT company you get a collective of experience, that when added up, could be centuries worth.  That means, they’ve probably worked on a problem similar enough to what you are facing and have a solution that will work.

 

2.  Outsourcing your IT will provide the missing bandwidth (lack of staff) your IT Department has. It’s not always about credentials and experience.  Very often it’s simply a matter of your labor force and the workload heaped upon them.  A good IT partner understands this and will help you with projects that are routine, all the way to complex.  Imagine what projects you could be freed up to work on if your helpdesk was handled by an outsourced partner.

 

3.  Periodic Demand Peaks can be one of the most stressful times for any department. It’s no different for IT.  You don’t have to work around the clock and worry that you’re still not going to meet your deadlines.  Having a relationship with a great Outsourced IT partner in your back pocket will be handy when these periodic demand peaks arise.  In fact, if you have months of the year planned out in advance that you can reserve their services, they will be ready to assist you in getting your job done when these months roll around.  If it’s impossible to predict when these peak times will arise, that shouldn’t be a problem either.  Just let your IT partner know that you plan on reaching out to them when these projects come about, and they should be able to make it work.

 

One of your goals for 2022 should be to interview IT firms and establish a partnership with the one that fits your needs.  Whether you need a fulltime partner, or someone to help during your busy times, having this relationship will pay dividends.  We suggest partnering with someone local that can come in person if you need them.  Our service area includes the entire state of Utah as well as Clark County NV.  To begin a relationship with us at Les Olson IT, simply fill out the form below and we’ll get in touch with you shortly.  We’d love to partner with you and help you achieve your 2022 goals while hopefully reducing your stress at the same time.

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Get an Outsourced IT Consult Today

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Week 4: Prioritizing Cybersecurity in a Hybrid Workplace

 

Currently, employees are more connected than ever. The hybrid workplace is here to stay, and for employees, this means relying on connected devices from their home office setups. According to recent data, smart home systems are set to rise to a market value of $157 billion by 2023, and the number of installed connected devices in the home is expected to rise by a staggering 70% by 2025. In this new normal where smart devices and consequently online safety are a must, here are some tips for securing those devices.

 

Remember Smart Devices Need Smart Security

Make cybersecurity a priority when purchasing a connected device. When setting up a new device, be sure to set up the privacy and security settings on web services and devices, bearing in mind, that you can limit who you are sharing information with. Once your device is set up, remember to keep tabs on how secure the information is that you store on it, and to actively manage location services so as not to unwittingly expose your location.

 

Put Cybersecurity First in Your Job

Make cybersecurity a priority when you are brought into a new role. Good online hygiene should be part of any organizations onboarding process, but if it is not, then take it upon yourself to exercise best practices to keep your company safe. Some precautions include performing regular software updates, and enabling multi-factor authentication.

 

Make Passwords and Passphrases Long and Strong

Whether or not the website you are on requires it, be sure to combine capital and lowercase letters with numbers and symbols to create the most secure password. Generic passwords are easy to hack. If you need help remembering and storing your passwords, don’t hesitate to turn to a password manager for assistance.

 

Never Use Public Computers to Log in to Any Accounts

While working from home, you may be tempted to change scenery and work from a coffee shop or another type of public space. While this is a great way to keep the day from becoming monotonous, caution must be exercised to protect yourself and your company from harm’s way. Make sure that security is top-of-mind always, and especially while working in a public setting, by keeping activities as generic and anonymous as possible.

 

Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth When Idle

The uncomfortable truth is, when Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are on, they can connect and track your whereabouts. To stay as safe as possible, if you do not need them, switch them off. It’s a simple step that can help alleviate tracking concerns and incidents.

 

These are just a few simple steps towards achieving the best online safety possible. Staying safe online is an active process that requires constant overseeing at every stage – from purchasing and setting up a device, to making sure that your day-to-day activities are not putting anyone at risk. By following these steps, you are doing your part to keep yourself and your company safe from malicious online activity.

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Week 3: Why You Should Consider a Cyber Career

 

Cybersecurity is one of the hottest sectors today, with new threats and challenges emerging each day. And with that, there is a huge push being undertaken by both business and education sectors to attract individuals toward a degree and career in cyber. Interested in joining this exciting new workforce? Here are a few reasons why pursuing a degree and career in cyber might be right for you.

 

Hot Job Market

 

To say that the cybersecurity jobs market is hot would be a huge understatement. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market for information security analysts will grow by 32 percent by 2028 — making it one of the fastest growing job sectors — while Cybersecurity Ventures has found that there will be 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs in 2021. This means that cybersecurity professionals are among the most in-demand around the world and will be for years to come.

 

Infinite Room for Personal and Professional Growth

 

Beyond just the ability to get a cybersecurity job, thanks to an ever-growing set of career tracks, cybersecurity offers a variety of different options for professionals to find a position that fits nicely with their own interests. Cybersecurity professionals work in everything from compliance to stress testing cyber defenses and software, so there are virtually limitless ways that professionals can apply their skills and look to grow them.

 

Investment in Advanced Cybersecurity Pays for Itself

 

Due to the shortage of cybersecurity talent in the workforce, businesses and educational institutions are constantly rolling out new avenues by which to make cybersecurity careers more affordable. For example, new grants and scholarships are now becoming available each day for individuals interested in cybersecurity careers, while many businesses are beginning to offer tuition reimbursement or other financial perks. This means that a degree in cybersecurity may be much more affordable than you originally thought.

 

Graduate Growth

 

In addition to interesting “on the ground work” that cybersecurity professionals get to take-on every day, there is also a growing selection of highly tailored cybersecurity graduate programs that can further academic knowledge in cybersecurity as well. For example, graduate degrees ranging from Applied Cryptography to Network Vulnerability and Detection are now being offered through colleges and universities nationwide. Additionally, as part of this deep-dive, cybersecurity professionals will also get the opportunity to network with other students from various backgrounds allowing them to open further opportunities for future positions or businesses.

 

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Are you interested in helping people make more secure choices when it comes to their businesses and network? 

Les Olson Company is looking for IT professionals in many areas. Check out what we have available today!

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Week 2: 3 Fundamentals for Shoring Up Phishing Defenses

From Ransomware to SolarWinds, the cybersecurity space has been as hectic as it has ever been over the last 12-24 months. However, for all of the emerging threats and news that are cropping up on the horizon, phishing — one of the oldest pain points in cybersecurity — is continuing to quietly wreak havoc, and is as big of a threat as it has ever been.

Despite often being overlooked in terms of hype, phishing has been a mainstay in the cybersecurity threat landscape for decades. In fact, 43 percent of cyberattacks in 2020 featured phishing or pre-texting, while 74 percent of US organizations experienced a successful phishing attack last year alone. That means that phishing is one of the most dangerous “action varieties” to an organization’s cybersecurity health. As a result, the need for proper anti-phishing hygiene and best practices is an absolute must.

With that in mind, here are a few quick best practices and tips for dealing with phishing threats.

1- Know the Red Flags

Phishes are masters of making their content and interactions appealing. From content design to language, it can be difficult to discern whether content is genuine or a potential threat, which is why it is so important to know the red flags. Awkward and unusual formatting, overly explicit call outs to click a hyperlink or open an attachment, and subject lines that create a sense of urgency are all hallmarks that the content you received could be potentially from phish and indicate that it should be handled with caution.

2- Verify the Source

Phishing content comes in a variety of ways, however, many phishes will try to impersonate someone you may already know — such as a colleague, service provider or friend — as a way to trick you into believing their malicious content is actually trustworthy. Don’t fall for it. If you sense any red flags that something may be out of place or unusual, reach out directly to the individual to confirm whether the content is authentic and safe. If not, break-off communication immediately and flag the incident through the proper channels.

3- Be Aware of Vishing and Other Phishing Offshoots

As more digital natives have come online and greater awareness has been spread about phishing, bad actors have begun to diversify their phishing efforts beyond traditional email. For example, voice phishing — or vishing — has become a primary alternative for bad actors looking to gain sensitive information from unsuspecting individuals. Similar to conventional phishing, vishing is typically executed by individuals posing as a legitimate organization — such as a healthcare provider or insurer — and asking for sensitive information. Simply put, it is imperative that individuals be wary of any sort of communication that asks for personal information whether it be via email, phone or chat — especially if the communication is unexpected. If anything seems suspicious, again, break-off the interaction immediately and contact the company directly to confirm the veracity of the communications.

 

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Phishing may be “one of the oldest tricks in the book,” but it is still incredibly effective. And although it may be hard to spot when you may be in the midst of a phishing attempt, by exercising caution and deploying these few fundamentals, individuals and organizations more broadly can drastically mitigate the chances of falling victim to a phishing attack.[/cz_title][cz_image css_position=”relative;display: table;margin:0 auto” id=”cz_36078″ image=”16120″ css_width=”50%”][/cz_image]

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Does your businesses cybersecurity method have you up during the night with worry?

Are you looking for options to help you rest easy? Get a consult with one of our Expert IT Specialists for a Free Network Analysis and get risk score that will tell you how secure your network is.[/cz_title][cz_gap height=”30px”][cz_button title=”Learn More about Les Olson Company’s” btn_position=”cz_btn_block” btn_effect=”cz_btn_fill_right” sk_button=”font-size:17px;color:#ffffff;font-family:Assistant;background-color:#ba0230;border-style:solid;” id=”cz_36193″ link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Flesolson.com%2Fservices%2Fcybersecurity%2F” sk_hover=”color:#ffffff;background-color:#e9283b;” subtitle=”Business Cyber Security Offerings”]

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Week 1: Get Familiar with the Cyber Basics

 

At a time when we are more connected than ever, being “cyber smart” is of the utmost importance. This year has already seen more than a fair share of attacks and breaches, including the SolarWinds and Kaseya breaches, as well as high-profile attacks on the Colonial Pipeline and other critical infrastructure. Furthermore, as underlined by recent breaches, cyber-attacks are becoming more sophisticated with more evolved bad actors cropping up each day. Luckily, there are several steps that we can take daily to mitigate risks and stay one step ahead of malefactors. Here are a few quick tips:

 

Enable MFA

 

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds a necessary second check to verify your identity when logging in any of your accounts. By requiring multiple methods of authentication, your account is further protected from being compromised, even if a bad actor hijacks your password. This way, MFAs make it more difficult for password cracking tools to enable attackers to break into accounts.

 

Use strong passphrases/password manager

 

This may seem obvious, but all too often securing strong passphrases/password managers is overlooked. People spending more time online during the pandemic Have certainly contributed to more bad actors prowling for accounts to attack. Using long, complex and unique passwords is a good way to stop your account from being hacked, and an easy way of keeping track and remembering your passwords is by using a password manager.

 

Perform software updates

 

When a device prompts that it’s time to update the software, it may be tempting to simply click postpone, and ignore the message. However, having the latest security software, web browser, and operating system on devices is one of the best defenses against online threats. So, don’t wait – update.

 

Do your research

 

Common sense is a crucial part of maintaining good online hygiene. And, an intuitive step to stay safe online is to do research before downloading anything new you are downloading to your device, such as apps. Before downloading any new learning app on your device, make sure to check who created the app, what the user reviews say, and if there are any articles published online about the app’s privacy and security features.

 

Check your settings

 

Be diligent to double check your privacy and security settings, and be aware who can access your documents. This extends from Google Docs, to Zoom calls, and beyond. For meetings on Zoom, for example, create passwords so only those invited to the session can attend, and restrict those who can share their screen or files with the rest of the attendees.

 

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Being cyber smart and maintaining stellar online hygiene is the best way to protect yourself and others from cyber-attacks. No single tip is foolproof, but used together they can make a valuable difference for taking control of your online presence. Following these tips is also easy, and free. By taking preventive measures and making a habit of practicing online safety, you can decrease your odds of being hacked exponentially – and prevent lost time and money. (As well as annoyance.)

Keeping our interconnected world secure requires all of us to be proactive and diligent. Learn how you can #BeCyberSmart this #CybersecurityAwarenessMonth at staysafeonline.org/cybersecurity-awareness-month/

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Introducing

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One of many solutions that Les Olson Company offers to improve your organizations efficiency.

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